Commission wants S.F. Zoo to be rescue center

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Photo: PAUL CHINN, SFC

Image 1of/2

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 2

Zoo director manuel Mollinedo revealed details about security upgrades planned for the tiger exhibits at a news conference in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008. When the zoo reopens Thursday, new signage will also be in place reminding visitors to protect the animals.PAUL CHINN/The Chronicle**Manuel Mollinedo less

Zoo director manuel Mollinedo revealed details about security upgrades planned for the tiger exhibits at a news conference in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008. When the zoo reopens Thursday, new ... more

Photo: PAUL CHINN, SFC

Image 2 of 2

###Live Caption:Zoo director manuel Mollinedo revealed details about security upgrades planned for the tiger exhibits at a news conference in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008. When the zoo reopens Thursday, new signage will also be in place reminding visitors to protect the animals.
PAUL CHINN/The Chronicle
**Manuel Mollinedo###Caption History:Zoo director Manuel Mollinedo revealed details about security upgrades planned for the tiger exhibits at a news conference in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008. When the zoo reopens Thursday, new signage will also be in place reminding visitors to protect the animals.
PAUL CHINN/The Chronicle
**Manuel Mollinedo###Notes:(415) 608-9904###Special Instructions:MANDATORY CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPHER AND S.F. CHRONICLE/NO SALES - MAGS OUT less

###Live Caption:Zoo director manuel Mollinedo revealed details about security upgrades planned for the tiger exhibits at a news conference in San Francisco, Calif. on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008. When the zoo ... more

The commission, an advisory council to the board on animal-related issues, wants the supervisors to hold hearings on animal welfare at the zoo, including the idea of making the facility into a sanctuary for exotic species owned privately and kept in inhumane conditions.

The commission has no power to effect any changes and would need Mirkarimi or another supervisor to call for hearings and submit legislation.

Mirkarimi said he hadn't seen the proposal from the commission, but said he likes the notion of converting the zoo to a rescue center.

"The idea is very appealing to me, as I'm sure it is with my colleagues, so I'm sure a hearing will be called for in the not-too-distant future," he said. "I think all ideas should be entertained that bolster San Francisco's commitment toward protecting the welfare of the animals."

Supervisor Aaron Peskin, president of the board, said the appropriate time to discuss major changes to the zoo would be when the city's complex lease agreement with the nonprofit San Francisco Zoological Society is up for reconsideration later this year.

The commission's proposal notes there are plenty of animals, including big cats, kept in inappropriate conditions by private owners. Bringing them to the zoo would enable the public to continue to see those animals while educating visitors by posting the animals' histories alongside their exhibits.

"A sanctuary facility is a holding area for animals to die," he said. "It would be a major shift. As for who would manage it, I'm not really clear."

He added that the zoo's current conservation programs, like the breeding of 100 bald eagles, would likely end under the new model.

Under the commission's proposal, however, animals that are now part of the zoo's endangered-species breeding programs could be grandfathered in so conservation efforts could continue. The commission also wants to see the establishment of a wildlife rehab center at the zoo to treat sick and injured birds, including those that might be harmed in the event of another oil spill.

The commission believes that animal welfare has taken a back seat to public safety after the Christmas Day mauling of a teenage boy by a tiger. It is recommending that future expenditures focus on improving the animals' living conditions rather than adding visitor amenities.

In addition, the commission wants the Board of Supervisors to create a Zoo Oversight Commission focused on animal welfare at the zoo.

Latest from the SFGATE homepage:

Click below for the top news from around the Bay Area and beyond. Sign up for our newsletters to be the first to learn about breaking news and more. Go to 'Sign In' and 'Manage Profile' at the top of the page.